He says NT has a lot of individual talent, but can’t put it together on Saturday’s, with mistakes really hurting them, along with failure in the clutch. Sound familiar?

Well, someone is going to win Saturday.

NT (1-4, 0-2) is already out of the Belt race with two losses. FAU (0-4, 0-1) still has hope, but they have to win out.

NORTH TEXAS PRIMER

THE PAST

FAU has owned the Kind and Gentles, and is 5-0 against them in a series that began in 2004, when the Burrowing Birds were in their first of the two-year limbo known as the transition from I-AA to I-A.

But in usual FAU fashion, there has been only one comfortable win, and that was last year, when they had a 25-6 lead at the half and fans could breath easy. Imagine that.
2004: FAU 20, NT 13 in Denton. This game was significant because NT ruled the Belt at the time, and had won three straight titles. They started the season 0-4, including the loss to FAU, but then won seven straight, all Belt games. They were 25-1 in the conference from 2001-2004.

2005: FAU 26, NT 23 at Lockhart: This was the start of the Mean Green’s downfall, as they went 2-9 and 2-5 in the Belt, tied for last place. From first to worst.

2006: FAU 17, NT 16 in Denton: The former rulers of the Belt were now bottom feeders, as they finished the season 3-9 and 2-5 in the Belt, and had to go to 7 overtimes to beat FIU, which was 0-12 that year.

2007: FAU 30, NT 20 in Denton: Hoping to recapture their previous glory, NT hired a new coach, Todd Dodge, who was coach at one of the top high schools in the state. Dodge brought a spread offense to what had been a power running team, and NT had big problems, finishing 2-10 and 1-6 in the Belt.
2008: FAU 46, NT 13 at Lockhart: Dodge Ball still wasn’t working, as this was one of FAU’s few blowout Belt wins, and NT finished 1-11 and 0-7.
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Rusty threw four touchdown passes against NT last year. The game was on Nov. 8. See how the field at Lockhart had turned into a sand box by then?
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And the DT went with a pants look, which luckily has not returned.
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THE PRESENT

North Texas started the season by beating Ball State of the MAC. At the time it seemed like a big win, but Ball State now sits at 0-6.

NT then lost to Ohio University, Alabama, Middle Tennessee and Louisiana-Lafayette, so the find themselves at 1-4, 0-2 in the Belt. They have lost 13 straight Belt games.

On offense, they run the spread behind Riley Dodge, left, the coach’s son. Dodge, who missed one game with an injury, is averaging 213 yards passing a game, but has thrown seven interceptions and two touchdowns.

It will be two No. 11s doing the slinging Saturday night.

Dodge is averaging 47 yards rushing a game, and it is the running game that is the surprise this season. Last year NT averaged 127.3 rushing yards, and this year they are averaging 172.8.

The defense has been where the most improvement has been.

Last year NT was last in the Belt, giving up 482.6 yards and 47.6 points per game. This year they are giving up 363 yards and 33.8 points.

Todd Dodge had brought a lot of high school coaches to Denton with him, and it showed. He has since hired adults to run the defense, and that is showing.

Bottom line: Until FAU lives up to its potential, any team is a formidable foe, even one that is going through the trials and tribulations that NT is.

Comments

Hey Ted I read an article that mentioned the D having an off campus meeting to make adjustments, corrections and become a more cohesive unit. There were three players that were very vocal and instrumental in leading the way to the team’s improvement. Looks like the new Defensive leaders are emerging (Lockley, Polo, D.Joseph). I hope it shows on the field vs. NT

It is one thing to have a bad season due to a freshman team or players that are not good. Its another thing to have a bad season because the team is not playing to their potential. Dumb mistakes, lack of concentration, dropped passes. It seems like the first half of 2008 all over again.
Does Jared Allen have any eligibility left? (just joking)

Naive penalties need to stop.
In the game against WY the last 3 drives in the end of the 4th Qt were killed by really stupid penalties. How many times the offense can come up with 3 options to move the ball without starting over because of a stupid penalty.
Good luck to the team this saturday and focus.
Where can we watch this game?

The toughest Sun Belt games are still ahead of us, which is good and bad. If we can start putting things together from here forward we're not out of anything. But there is very little margin for error.

I'LL BE VERY INTERESTED TO SEE IF RED ASS WEEK #2 PRODUCES BETTER RESULTS THAN RED ASS WEEK #1.--THESE GUYS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT STUPID PENALTIES AT CRUNCH TIME JUST WON'T BE TOLERATED.

AS FOR THE SENIOR CLASS OF PLAYERS, I'M SURE THEY WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS THE CLASS THAT BEAT TROY, BEAT MINNESOTA AND WON TWO BOWL GAMES.--BUT IF THEY FLOUNDER TO A 4-7 OR 3-8 SEASON, THEY'LL BE REMEMBERED MOST FOR BEING THE CLASS THAT BLEW IT WHEN THEY HAD A CHANCE FOR GLORY AND 3 STRAIGHT BOWL GAMES!!

THE SENIORS STILL HAVE CONTROL OVER THEIR LEGACIES.--THEY CAN END THEIR COLLEGE CAREERS ON A POSITIVE NOTE.--THEY CAN ENHANCE THEIR PROSPECTS FOR A PROFESSIONAL CAREER.

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About the author

DIETER KURTENBACH a Chicago native and 2010 Missouri School of Journalism graduate, has covered Missouri Tigers athletics for KCOU radio and the Columbia Missourian, Major League Soccer for Comcast SportsNet-Chicago, and lunch orders for ESPN Radio-Chicago. Kurtenbach was part of the Missourian team that earned first place in "Breaking News" at the 2010 Associated Press Sports Editors awards, but his real passion is his constant quest to find the world’s best sandwich – if you have a tip, don’t hesitate to send it his way.